Ear-tag for marking animals



(No Model.)

W. G. WBBDON.

EAR TAG POR MARKING ANIMALS.

No' 3471850' Patented Aug. 24', 1886..

N4 PETERS, PhomLilhagmpher. Wnshixggwn, D. (2V

UNITED STATES FFICE@ PATENT EAR-TAG FOR MARKING ANIMALS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 347,850, dated August 24, 1886 Application tiled January 15, 1886.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER C. WEEDON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Kansas City, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ear-Tags for Marking Stock; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad tothe accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to afford a device for readily marking stock,which may be attached to any part of the animal, but more especially the ear, and cannot be easily detached, therefore offering better security to owners of stock than by the common method; and it consists in the novel means hereinafter fully described, and specifically pointed out in the claims.

Figure l represen ts the tag as attached to the ear of an animal. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the tag. Figs. 3 and 4 are views of opposite side plate, also showing edge view of the same. Fig. 5is a detail view of thimble and screw-bolt. v

In making my tag, I stamp out from a flat piece of metal the proper thickness two independent pla-tes, A and B,.one of which plates is preferably made smaller than the other. Through plate Ais made a central transverse perforation, a. A thimble, C, is then made corresponding in size and adapted to t the opening a in plate A, and of the length desired, upon which said plate is adjustable to the varied thickness of the ear of an animal by being allowed to work on the shaft or body of the thimble C. Around one end of thimble C is formed the ange c', and a screw-threaded perforation is made longitudinally through said thimble. In plate B, I make a central transverse perforation, b, of lesser size than the thimble C, the said perforation being roamed to receive the head of the screw-bolt. A screw-bolt,c,havingasuitable head is made of sufficient length to entend through the opening b in plate B and lit the longitudinal screw-threaded opening in thimble C.

To attach my tag to stock. I first puncture the ear or other convenient depending part of Serial No. 188,638. (No model.)

the body ofthe animal and insert the thimble upon the plate A through the opening made, which,ifthrough the ear,would bring plate A closely against one side of the ear. The plate B is then placed upon t-he end of the thimble O,Which has ashoulder to receiveit, and upon the opposite side of the ear, and the screw-bolt c inserted through the plate B and through the thimble C. The end ofthe screw-bolt c, which extends a slight distance beyond the flange c', is then upset and the tag securely fastened Without danger of removal.

It will be readily seen that the perforation through the thimble may be made smooth and an ordinary smooth bolt used instead of the screw-threaded perforation and the screwbolt, the end of the smooth bolt being upset when the plates are attached to the thimble, and thus securing the tag -to the ear.

Applied to stock, the tag fitsnlosely against the parts of the body to which it is attached, and therefore is not liable to be caught by limbs of trees, Ste., and aecidentallyremoved, being free from any loop or ring, which so frequently tears out, and the identity of the animal is lost. Upon the surface of one plate may be placed the owners name and registered number of the animal.

I am aware that ear-tags have been made with opposite plates rigidly attached to a thimble and secured together by means of a screw, and also that a rivet has been used, to one end of which a plate has been attached and the end of the rivet upset upon the plate. In all such cases no provision has been made to permit the independent rotation of the plates upon opposite sides of the ear of the animal and independently of the thimble or rivet. Earplates,in practical use', are subject to abrasion from the constant habit of animals to rub the head and neck, and consequent] y the ear, against trees vand fences, and the plates thus brought in contact With such objects should be permitted to rotate without turning the thimble and irritating the tender parts ofthe ear, which often adhere to the thimble, and when broken away cause the wound to enlarge and give needless suffering to the animal. yThe screw which is inserted in the thimble is turned up only so far as to permit the easy rotation of the outer plate.

Having fully described myinventioli, What IOO I new claim as new, and' desire to secure by Letters Patent, is,-

1. An ear-tag for marking stock, consisting of a thirnble having a longitudinal perforation therethrough, a suitable tlange at one end and a shoulder at its opposite end, a holt adapted to enter said thimble, and opposite independent perforated plates, one of which is fitted to rotate upon and independently of the said thimble, and the opposite plate upon and independently of the said bolt, and between the head of said bolt and the shoulder of said thi mble, for the purpose specified.

2. An ear-tag` for marking stock, consisting 

